Sparking A Lifelong Love of Art
Participants in action at an AGO Summer Art Camp
Every summer, the sound of hundreds of happy young voices fills the AGO as children take part in the museum’s Summer Art Camps. Campers explore our collection, tap into their creativity by making art with instruction from working artists, and form lifelong connections to art and the AGO.
“It’s definitely my favourite time of year,” says Tiana Roebuck, Manager, Learning & Studio Programs. “We get to help kids build confidence and emotional resilience and inspire a sense of awe and wonder through the lens of art.”
In 2025, the AGO inspired that feeling for over 1,000 campers through 75 distinct camp programs, which ranged from painting to animation to miniature multimedia art.
Tiana says one of the goals of Art Camp is to welcome more children and families into the AGO community. “I want the kids to feel like they own the place,” she says. She adds that it is equally rewarding to work with young volunteers and staff, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in art and education.
AGO Art Camps are fee-based, but philanthropy plays a vital role in their delivery. In 2025, a significant gift from Robin and David Young to the AGO’s overall education vision helped make it possible for the museum to offer subsidized spots for children and families in need.
“Children came to camp this year who wouldn’t have been able to participate otherwise,” Tiana says. “Those kids will come back in the future and feel that belonging and connection here.”